January 20 virtual events to help companies understand how to become a vendor of school district

(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) – Grand Rapids Public Schools is hosting a virtual vendor informational event on Thursday, January 20 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. and then again from 6:00-7:00 p.m. designed to help vendors understand how to do business with Grand Rapids Public School District. Our intent is to promote goodwill, communicate with the business community and offer general guidance for business partnerships with the District.

During the event, Purchasing Department leaders will provide the following information to participants:

• Receive a list of goods and services currently procuring.
• Get familiar with Grand Rapids Local First Purchasing Policy and the terms and conditions for our Purchase Orders.
• Learn more about upcoming solicitations.
• Schedule a meeting with Purchasing Department to introduce company’s offerings.
• Register for and learn more about Bid4Michigan (competitive solicitation threshold for procurement items over $26,046.00 and Sigma (Construction and Facilities).

Having a diverse base of vendors is important to not only the district’s Purchasing Department, but its Board of Education as well.

“GRPS is one of the largest employers in Grand Rapids and frequently contracts with vendors, so it’s very important that we have a clear process that welcomes diverse business owners to do business with the district,” said Board of Education Vice President Kimberley Williams, who has championed the BOE’s dedication to helping attract more locally owned business to be GRPS vendors. 

Any company wishing to review current RFPs can visit this site: grps.org/request-for-proposals  

More information about the event can be found here: https://www.grps.org/all-grps-news-events/1560-vendor-event. 

WHO:  Grand Rapids Public Schools Purchasing Department; area businesses. 

WHAT:  Educate businesses on how to become an authorized vendor; learn about current opportunities available with the district. 

WHEN:  Thursday, January 20 at 10:00-11:00 a.m. and 6:00-7:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Zoom: https://grps-org.zoom.us/j/81145596537?pwd=bXpXMFZMNkUxc2FlV1MyR09pUnNrdz09 

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